The fans in the stands can’t say they didn’t get their money’s worth.   It was a hard fought game down to the very last down.  But it is so painful to lose that way.   I’m gonna’ be in a funk for several days and I’m not even a player. This game had some of the more interesting and bizarre play-calling, play-making and officiating that I have seen in several years.

Some initial thoughts: As I noted in my pre-game post, Canyon is a prototypical Harry Welch-coached team.  Simple, straight-forward offense well-executed and tenacious hard play on every down on both sides of the ball.  The Cowboys got the job done if only by a whisker.  Hart’s defense was every bit as tough and hard-hitting. Canyon’s offensive leaders, DiLuigi and Civita, are going to be feeling the effects of this game for a few days.

James Wheeler was spectacular!  Clearly the player of the game for Hart in every respect.   If I were handing out the awards, he’d get offensive, defensive, special team and coaches award for the week.  Alas, it’s a lot less satisfying to have such a spectacular game when the team doesn’t win. So here’s my hope: that the teams meet again in the finals.

Here’s the detail.

Hart kicked off.  DiLuigi fielded the ball at about the two and got swarmed at the 18.  Civita passed to Wirthlin for 2 and then to Loucks (?) for 6.  DiLuigi got 15 yards on his first carry – his longest carry of the game; Civita then ran for 11 up the middle, DiLuigi for 7, Civita for 5, DiLuigi for 10 plus 5 at the end for a facemask penalty, Civita for 4 (does this sound like a broken record?). With Canyon at the Hart 17, Civita threw an incomplete toward Wirthlin. Then on third down he threw an INT right to Wheeler in the endzone. (Wheeler made a bit of an error here as he tried to run it out when he probably should have taken a knee).

Hart started at the 3: pass to Wheeler for 8, run by Lyon for 4, Penalty for Pass Interference (with both Howell and Wheeler in the backfield – I like the concept!), run by Wheeler for 23 on a slot counter play (under center), run by Howell for 11 (under center), run by Howell for 6, run by Lyon for 2 down to the Canyon 29, then an incomplete (drop!), and on fourth down, a sack. [More about this in my rant at the end of the post]

Canyon started at the 37: DiLuigi run for 11, screen pass to Wirthlin for no gain; draw by DiLuigi for 5, pass to Wirthlin (?) for 2 (this may be scored as a long lateral) and punt.

Hart at the 24: run by Howell for 6, run by Casselberry for -5 (a slot counter that went bad), incomplete and punt. The punt was blocked (did Hart have 11 or only 10 players on the field?) The snap was a little low and Weinstein was a little slow getting it off.  In any event, Canyon got the ball at the Hart 10.

Canyon at the 10: run by Kingsbury for 1 [END OF FIRST QUARTER], run by DiLuigi for 2, incomplete and then a 29-yard field goal. Canyon 3-0 at 11:12 in the second.

Wheeler fielded the kickoff at about the 3 and ran untouched straight up the middle for a 97-yard TD return. Hart’s first crack at the PAT missed but Canyon got called for roughing the kicker. Hart made it on the second try. Hart 7-3 at 10:58.

Canyon got no return on the ensuing kickoff into the endzone and also got nailed for an unnecessary roughness call which put the ball back on the 10: run by Kingsbury for 12, run by DiLuigi for 7, incomplete, incomplete and punt.

Hart started at the 27 after a fair catch: run by Casselberry for 8. Then came the first and biggest controversial officiating decision of the night. Lyon was in the shotgun with Casselberry in at the running back. Lyon took the snap and moved forward appearing to hand the ball off to Casselberry as Casselberry ran into a swarm of Canyon kids.  But — Casselberry did not have the ball.  Lyon pulled the ball back out and took off around the right side and clearly was headed for a long run. The only problem: the refs blew the play dead, thinking Casselberry had the ball. Long conference. Do over! This turned out to be real drive killer. Next two plays: incomplete, incomplete and then punt. [More ranting at the end of the post]

Canyon got no return and started at the 35: run for 2 by DiLuigi, incomplete, pass to Wirthlin for 7, on fourth down from the 34 -- run by Civita for 3, pass to DiLuigi for 13 (all the prime receivers were covered, DiLuigi was clearly an afterthought), run by DiLuigi for 3, incomplete , pass to Kingsbury for 14 (another Hart problem – giving up a long pass on third and long!), then another INT by Wheeler, his second of the night.

Hart started at the 28 following a holding penalty run by Howell (with Lyon under center) for 6, run by Casselberry for 5 (Lyon under center), run by Casselberry for 1 out to the 40 and then a little outside screen to Wheeler (with Lyon under center) who ran around, through and between just about every Canyon defender for 60 yards and the TD.  Hart 14-3 at 2:45.

Canyon got about a 22-yard return by DiLuigi to the 24: run by Civita for 5 – then the Hart “napping” play of the night – a short delay pass on a drag across the middle to Wirthlin who took it 45 yards down to the Hart 26; penalty for illegal procedure, run by Civita for 10, pass to Wirthlin for 4, run by Civita for 3, run by DiLuigi for 3 down to the 11 and then a TD pass to DiLuigi (the DB fell down) for the TD.  Hart 14-10 at :34 seconds left in the half.

Wheeler got about a 10-yard return on the next kickoff. Hart took a knee and it was half time.

First half stats: Lyon was 2 for 6, 68 yards and a TD. Howell had 4 carries for 29 yards, Lyon had -2 yards on 3 carries including a sack and Casselberry had 9 yards on 4 carries. Wheeler had 23 yards on 1 carry, 2 receptions for 68 yards and a TD, a kickoff return for 97 yards and a TD, another return for about 10 and 2 INTs. Not a bad half for James!

Canyon: Civita was 10 for 18 (6 to Wirthlin), 104 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs. He rushed for 41 yards on 7 carries. DiLuigi had 65 yards on 10 carries and had 2 receptions for 24 yards and a TD. Kingsbury had 13 yards on 2 carries.

Second half.

Hart got a 24-yard return by Wheeler out to the 26: incomplete, incomplete, pass to Yudin for 13, pass to Wheeler for -4, run by Howell for 1, Sack for -8 and punt.

Canyon at the 42: run by DiLuigi for about 4 and then a fumble, recovered by Wheeler.

Hart at the 38: a long run by Casselberry called back on a hold, incomplete (tipped), run by Lyon for 10, incomplete (drop?) and punt.

Canyon got a short return and started at the 37: pass to Wirthlin for 2, run by Diluigi for 3, pass to DiLuigi for 11, run by DiLuigi (student body right!) for 14, sack for -5, incomplete, penalty for illegal procedure, then in third and long (again!), a screen pass to DiLuigi for 18. Canyon went for it on 4th down and DiLuigi ran it 24 yards down to the Hart 1. Here was the defensive stand of the night. Penalty for illegal procedure moved it out to the 6, run by DiLuigi for 4, run by DiLuigi for 0, run (and fumble) by Civita for 1, run by DiLuigi for 1 on fourth down and Hart took over on the 1.

Hart: Casselberry run for 4, Casselberry run for 2 [END OF QUARTER], incomplete and punt.

Canyon got a very nice 17-yard return from Kingsbury to the 31: run by DiLuigi for 6, run by Civita for 2, run by Civita for 2 but short of the first down, run by DiLuigi for 2 and the first down at the Hart 19, run by Kingsbury for 1, incomplete and once again on third and long, pass to Randal Rigg – which appeared from my perspective, and just about everyone else’s to have skipped off the turf – down to the Hart 3 and a first down. Run by DiLuigi for 3 and the TD. The PAT was partially blocked by Wheeler.  Canyon 16-14 at 8:48.

Canyon deliberately squibbed the ensuing kickoff to keep it away from Wheeler and Cannon got a short return out to the Hart 31: run by Wheeler for 5, run by Lyon for 3, pass to Wheeler for 19, run by Casselberry for 2 down to the Canyon 40 then pass to Embree for no gain with a fumble [VERY close call as to whether it was even a catch].

Canyon at the 41: run by DiLuigi for 0, pass to DiLuigi on a screen for 13, run by Civita for 3, run by DiLuigi for about 3 but a hold moved it back 7, run by Civita for 3 to the 50, pass to Wirthlin for 1 and punt.

Hart got the ball at the 8 with 2:58 to play. The first play was an incomplete (drop) then a pass down the sideline to Wheeler for 30, run by Casselberry for 5, an incomplete (drop on a big hit). On third down, Lyon dropped back to pass, looked like he would be sacked and then popped loose for 21-yard run up the middle to the Canyon 34 with a little over a minute to play.  On the next play, Casselberry got loose for 22 yards along the right sideline and ran it down to the Canyon 12 and a late hit moved it to the 6 with 1:41 to play.

Things were looking REAL good for Hart here. Then DISASTER. Lyon was under center and I think Casselberry was back in the tailback spot. Cannon, at the slot, went in motion to, in effect, become a fullback and lead the play. As Lyon took the snap, it appeared he was not expecting Cannon to be there, was jostled by Cannon and lost the ball.  Canyon recovered at the 6.

But it wasn’t over: 1:37. Civita ran on first down for about 3. And I learned something new about officiating.  Hart got tagged with a little facemask. It turns out that Canyon got the gain, got the facemask and most importantly, got the down over. Weird. Has to be the only rule like it in the book. So it was first down and 2 and Hart called its second time out. Following the penalty, Canyon lined up with 12 which got them a five-yard penalty back to the 9. Run by DiLuigi for 3 and timeout Hart (last one). Run by DiLuigi for 4, penalty for delay, another penalty(?), the ball ended up on the 15, 4th down and 10 seconds left. Canyon punted – a deliberate squib away from Wheeler – Wheeler got it at about the 45 and returned it to about the 35. It looked like one second was left when he got tackled but the clock kept running and the game was over.

Stats for the second half: Lyon was 5 of 12 for 58 yards. He rushed for a net 20 yards on 4 carries. Casselberry had 35 yards on 5 carries. Wheeler had 5 yards on 1 carry and Howell had 1 on 1 carry.

Civita was 6 of 8 for 60 yards and had net 6 yards on 6 carries. DiLuigi had 63 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Kingsbury had 1 yard on 1 carry.

Comments: You won’t see a better, more versatile player than James Wheeler tonight.  He had 28 yards rushing on 2 carries (one from the slot, one from running back), 113 yards receiving on 5 receptions and a TD, 145 return yards [3 kickoffs and a punt] and a TD, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked PAT. He probably led the band at half time and did a couple of routines with the cheerleaders as well when I wasn't looking.

Sometimes it just seems like Lyon and the receivers are not in sync. Several times tonight he was off the mark, low or behind, particularly in the first half.   But several other times, especially later in the game, he put the ball right on the money and the receivers simply didn’t catch it.

The last fumble was devastating but it need not have happened because (1)  Hart had the ball on the 6, (2) with a 1st down, (3) plenty of time [1:42], (4) two timeouts, and, (5) did not need to score a TD.   The Hart line was doing a superb job run-blocking when given the chance.   Smith, the center and both guards, especially J. T.  Hartmire were more than able to move their opponents off the line.  Lyon is 220 points.  From my perspective the obvious thing to do was run three straight quarterback sneaks.  If Lyon scored.  Great. If not, Hart had the timeouts available to set up a field goal which would have won the game.  Sometimes the plays or the play-calling get too clever by half.  Hart had to run a man in motion which proved Hart’s undoing.  Canyon had nothing to do with the play other than fall on a loose ball.

I remain dismayed by the play-calling.  An example is the series with the goofy in advertent whistle.   In that series, on first down, Casselberry ran for 8, making it second and 2. On second down, Lyon ran for what appeared to be an easy first down but it was called back on the “inadvertent [i.e., idiot] whistle” – a good play call by Hart but an unfortunate result. Second down was repeated. And here's where my rant starts. Just RUN FOR IT FROM UNDER CENTER! TRAMPLE THE COWBOYS. AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT NOTICED THAT CANYON STOPPED ONE SINGLE RUNNING PLAY THE ENTIRE NIGHT.  I REPEAT.  EVERY SINGLE RUNNING PLAY EXCEPT ONE WENT FOR A GAIN.  HART – RUN!  DON’T TO REVERT TO THE PASS ON PRINCIPAL OR STUBBORNESS OR EGO OR WHATEVER CAUSES A SUDDEN ABANDONMENT OF  WHAT CLEARLY IS THE PRODUCTIVE CHOICE.  THE LINEMEN ARE SUPERB RUN BLOCKERS.  HOWELL, CASSELBERRY AND WHEELER HAVE REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED THEIR RUNNING ABILITY. USE IT!

This rant is now over. On 2nd and 2 (on the repeated down) it apparently was written somewhere that Hart must revert back to the shotgun and must pass. So – it was a shotgun formation and two incompletes in a row (including a drop) and a punt. And an opportunity squandered.

Another example from Hart’s first series.  Hart had moved the ball down to the Canyon 36 (primarily on runs by Wheeler of 23 and Howell of 11 – both when Lyon was under center). On first down at the 36, Howell ran for 6. On second down at the Canyon 30, Lyon ran for 2, leaving Hart with a 3rd and 2.  Now, the team just moved from its own 3 down to the opponents 29 on 5 runs and only a single 18-yard pass.   Am I missing something?  RUN THE BALL ON THIRD AND 2. GET THE FIRST DOWN THE EASY, SURE WAY!  But no, Hart passed from the shotgun on third and 2, the pass was dropped.  Hart went for it on fourth down BUT NOT BY RUNNING and Lyon got sacked.

What I find so frustrating is the Hart running game has been from very good to spectacular most of the season, most often running from formations which are decidedly unfavorable to the running game.  I simply do not understand the stubbornness of not maximizing that which with each succeeding week is so obviously a team strength.

Then there is that last fumble. Why? Why not just run straight ahead with no handoff, no motion etc. The line was doing a job. If Lyon got in for the TD there would not have been much time left for Canyon. If he failed to get in, Hart simply could have called time out on fourth down and kicked what would have amounted to an extra point and won 17-16.  The admonition derived from K.I.S.S. applies.

The defense was generally spectacular. Two beefs – and this is players on the field as opposed to play-calling -- The guys seem to relax a little on third and long. Twice in the second half, Hart seemed to have Canyon stopped only to give up a third and long which eventually lead to the TD.  In the first half, there was the “asleep at the switch play” – the only really long play of the night for Canyon when Wirthlin slipped underneath for a 45-yard gain.

Well next week it’s playoffs. Hart will almost certainly be the number 4 seed in the same bracket as Mission Viejo . The mighty Diablos apparently were very beatable tonight, winning only 7-6 when San Clemente missed a two-point try at the end.  If Hart continues to play tough on defense, make better use of the available talents on offense, Hart could well end up in the final – facing Canyon. Wouldn’t that be a great rematch!